Low & Outside: AL Notes

Being ejected by a 32-year-old fill-in umpire angered Terry Francona so badly that the Boston Red Sox manager had to be examined by emergency medical technicians in Minneapolis after the game for elevated blood pressure.

The Boston Herald reported yesterday that Francona, 50, who got the boot from Tim Tichenor, an umpire in the Pacific Coast League, in the seventh inning Thursday night, was venting to his coaches so vociferously after the game that a member of the training staff suggested he get checked out before the team boarded a plane for Toronto.

Francona, a former Phillies manager, has a history of medical problems and takes blood-thinning medication daily, the Herald said.

The EMTs, including one with a stretcher and emergency equipment, examined Francona in the locker room.

"I'm fine," Francona told the Herald. "I just got a little worked up, and my blood pressure shot up. But I'm fine. They take good care of me."

Count ticket scalpers among those who are feeling the effects of the lousy economy.

Forbes.com reported that tickets on StubHub and other secondary markets can be had for prices well below face value for selected games. Prices include $70 for a $175 seat near home plate at the Ballpark at Arlington and $17 for a field-box seat at Seattle's Safeco Field with a face value of $39.

The Web site also said higher asking prices for the prime season in July and August may not last, if the trend of the season to date is any indication.

"What you might have hypothesized based on the economy you can see come into fruition when you look at StubHub," said David Carter of the Sports Business Group. "It's the best snapshot of what the true market value is."

Exceptions to the "snapshot" can be found at Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and our own Citizens Bank Park.

The young pitchers that have been nurtured through the Baltimore Orioles farm system are paying off big-time for the parent club.

David Hernandez became the fourth Baltimore pitcher this season to win in his first major-league game and start, working 52/3 innings Thursday night against Detroit.

"For the guys who have been here, it's a blast for them seeing Orioles guys come up through the system," Baltimore manager Dave Trembley said. "That's fun for them."

Koji Uehara, Brad Bergesen and Jason Berken are the other pitchers to win this season in their debuts. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Orioles are the first team since 1890 to have four pitchers start and win in their first major-league games in the same season.

Outfielder Carlos Quentin, who led the Chicago White Sox in home runs last season, went on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with soreness in the bottom of his left foot that was diagnosed as plantar fasciitis. The team activated outfielder DeWayne Wise from the disabled list. . . . The Texas Rangers placed lefthander Matt Harrison on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 26, because of stiffness in his pitching shoulder. . . . The Cleveland Indians designated 35-year-old outfielder David Dellucci for assignment. Dellucci, who has spent time with the Phillies during his career, began the season on the disabled list and has battled injuries since signing a three-year contract in December 2006.